Hi Mark,

See below...

Greg


Mark Webb-Johnson wrote:
If things get messed up or forgotten, can't the module be reset to
factory with some button sequence?  I asked that regarding my /store
issue, but never heard back.

We have two buttons:

  1. Hardwired RESET. That resets the chip.
  2. IO0 BOOT. If held during BOOT, that goes into firmware download mode.

So, only #2 is usable, and that only after boot. I guess we could have a boot delay to allow time for it to be pressed after power up.
Yes, something like that.  I've worked on products where holding button #2 after releasing #1 would first take the product into a reset-to-defaults mode for about 10 seconds, then if you kept holding it after that, would take you to the downloader.

But, that would require opening up the case to get to the button. Nasty. Plugging it into a PC is probably easier?
Hooking to a PC wouldn't necessarily be easier, but certainly safer.  I take it that the buttons on the 3.1 hardware aren't anywhere that can be accessed through a proverbial paper clip-sized hole, nor in such a way that a metal paper clip wouldn't be in danger of hitting something live.  Opening my box, I see the 3.0 hardware is not set up that way.  The switches would need to be moved to the back side of the board for that, and the holes put in the case.  Are we too late?

I guess we can assume that our customers are at least somewhat technology-literate, and in the event that they lose their AP pass key, a USB serial console might be a reasonable way to reset things.  But if the only "PCs" they own are a smart phone and tablet, or in the event that the module is password protected too, use of the buttons would still be required.  Or, they can cash in their "phone a friend" token.  :)  PCs aren't totally obsolete, yet.

Greg